August/September 2015

Volume 1 Issue 4

Nevada PVA

704 S. Jones Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89107

(702) 646-0040

1-866-638-3837

www.nevadapva.org

pvanevada@gmail.com

Dan Kaminski, President

Lester Wood, Vice President

Marc Fenn, Treasurer

Ron Cantagallo, Secretary

Roger Dauffenbach, Director

Tom Hudson, Director

Lester Wood, National

Director

Julie Johnson

Executive Director

Ann Perelman

Office Manager

Follow us on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com./ParalyzedVeterans

ofAmericaNevadaChapter

Twitter: Twitter.com/PVANevada

Instagram: Instagram.com/pvanevada

YouTube: www.youtube.com/PVANevada

PVA Nevada Newsletter

is published

Bi-Monthly

Editor: Ann Perelman

Congratulations to our members who participated in the

National Veterans Wheelchair Games

Dan Kaminski Mariza Shaffa Silver in Slalom Gold in Swimming

Silver in Table Tennis Gold in Slalom

Silver in 100 meter track event

GREAT JOB!!! Silver in 200 meter track event

Bronze in Bowling

It’s once again time to start thinking about elections. We are approaching the

time for electing a new President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and

five (5) members of the Board of Directors for our chapter.

Please get involved and run for office. If you would like to run, please sub-

mit your biography to our office, along with a letter of intent advising us of

which position you are interested in running for. We will be publishing biog-

raphies of all members interested in running for office in our October/

November newsletter. Bio’s will be due no later than September 1, 2015.

Ballots will be sent out in December and due back to our office no later than

January 10th, 2016.

Exemption holders can now use exemption with DMV Online!

We are happy to announce that exemption holders in Clark County may now claim their annual property tax exemption online during a vehicle registration renewal. Use our link below for more information on our property tax exemption programs for Surviv-ing Spouses, Veterans, Disabled Veterans and Blind Persons: For more information go to clarkcountynv.gov/assessor for qualifications and an application or call (702) 455-3882

Do you have a photo or experience you would like to share with fellow

members? Contact us, we are always looking for great content to include

in our newsletter.

President’s & Executive Director’s Report By Dan Kaminski & Julie Johnson

Summer in Vegas, as you all know is HOT!!! So we do our best to stay indoors and catch

up on our paperwork. The VA Southern Nevada Hospital is in the midst of a few projects.

Emergency Room—Scheduled to be complete by September 1st and will begin seeing

patients in October.

Parking Lot Revamp—Solar covered patient parking project has begun and will take 18

months to complete.

Door Remodel—This project started July 1st. They will be widening some doors and

making some electronic, this should be completed in six months.

Fisher House—Construction is underway and should be complete by the end of the

year.

There are also a few events coming up that we will be participating in:

San Gennaro—September 8-13

Wheelchair Tennis—October 3-4

Veterans Service Fair—October 7 (8 am—3 pm)

East Last Vegas Community Center

250 North Eastern Ave.

Las Vegas, NV 89101

The veterans coalition, Air Force, VA and community partners are joining together

to make this our 6th Veterans Service Fair (formerly Veterans Winter Stand Down) a

success.

National Disability Awareness Day—October 17th (10 am—2 pm)

East Las Vegas Community Center

250 North Eastern Ave.

Las Vegas, NV 89101

Free admission and free lunch. Representatives from 60 organizations serving the

disabled community.

Vice –President’s Report

By Lester Wood

In May I traveled to San Diego for our National Convention. It was election time again for our board members.

All members were re-elected

Al Kovach, Jr. (President), David Zurfluh (Sr. Vice President), Charles Brown, Ken Weas, Joe Fox and Hack Al-

bertson was newly elected to his first term. A balanced budget was passed and Bob McDonald reported on where

we stood on veterans being seen on time in our hospitals and clinics. Bob has worked hard and made many

changes to assure that we are being served in a timely manner. Thanks, Bob.

A few days after returning home from the convention I attended a demonstration of the Exoskeleton which is used

to help our spinal cord injured members stand and walk again, to learn more about this, go to Rewalk Robotic

online to see the happiness of being able to walk again. What an exciting time it was to talk to the young man

who demonstrated it and the therapists working with him to see him walk again.

Later in the month, I had the pleasure of attending the Veteran of Month Awards. Governor Sandoval was there to

present the award to Chuck Baker and Elizabeth Ashurst. These two people continue to work hard to better the

lives of our military families and they highly deserve the award.

June was a very rewarding time for our chapter because we hosted the Paralympic kids and their families, they

were treated to a BBQ and a week later an Ice Cream Social. As I have said before, they inspire us with their hap-

py faces.

I finished the month with a meeting at city hall hosted by Congresswoman Dina Titus. We had a lively discussion

about the new Choice Card. Needless to say there are going to be many kinks that need to be worked out. The

new card has worked for some but many are experiencing problems with acceptance from doctors and being seen

by others. Check out the list of quick facts which is posted in this newsletter.

Sports

This was my second year at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. I participated in bowling, softball, sla-

lom, track and swimming. Instead of being a novice like last year this year I was an opener. I didn’t know if I

would have anybody in my class. At first I thought I was the only one but I found out I had a female named

Cory in my class, she was good and very competitive. This year was her first year competing in slalom and I

got to give her some tips and encouragement as she did for me last year in bowling. Each NVWG is like a big

family reunion and I look forward to seeing the new novices and hope my story

can help them in some way as all of the veterans'’ stories have helped me. I

brought home two gold and two silver and one bronze. I look forward to next

year and all its new adventures.

Nevada PVA Bowling Tournament—Sunset Station, December 3-6, 2015

Bowlers must be an AWBA and USBC member. Bowlers can bowl 21 games to set an average and hold on to

the scores; or you can bowl as a novice but are not eligible for prize money. For further information call the

office at (702) 646-0040.

Nevada PVA Trapshoot—Clark County Shooting Park, March 18-20, 2016

Nevada PVA Pistol Shoot—Clark County Shooting Park, March 18, 2016

Step Outside Program

Because of your program I was able to take my PCA out to dinner at Jack-In-The-Box. This gave him an

evening off from cooking and allowed us to have some fun away from the house.

I took a friend out to lunch at TGIF. We were lucky that we got a special on the Nachos Grande that was a

two for one price. We are both in wheelchairs and brought our own drinks so we didn’t need to order any-

thing to drink. If it weren’t for this program I would not have been able to spend the time with an old friend.

Thank you for allowing me to do this. William Frankell

Went to the Bellagio for lunch with my brother from New Jersey. We don’t see each other that often and we

had a good time. Thank you. Ron Cantagallo

On April 9th Annette and I went out to dinner at Buddy V’s restaurant at the Venetian. They have a price

range that anyone can handle. The Manager, Adam, is very friendly and came by our table a couple of times

to check on us. Our waiter, Kalibs service was excellent in the way he helped with ordering and didn’t rush

us between courses. Our food was cooked perfect on both visits, this being our second time there. It was

also nice that they remembered us when we came back. They are wheelchair friendly but I do suggest reser-

vations and let them know your situation whatever that may be. Also, please tell them you’re with PVA and

that I recommended them. We will be returning soon. Tom McNaughton

I went to see Tomorrowland and the Avengers at the movie theater. I only go on Tuesday’s as that is the

discount day. I believe Regal Theaters are $6 and Century Theaters are $5. It may depend on location. I go

to the theaters at Aliante or Santa Fe as they are close. Access is great and I can sit on the bottom row if I am

having a bad day. We eat before we go, then we use the theater club card and get a great discount on pop-

corn on the few occasions when we get it. The Avengers was fun and action packed but Tomorrowland was

really for young kids. Randy McKee

2015 Reno Air Races By Tom Hudson

Hello NV PVA members, once again we have come across tickets- Admission, Special Box Seats, Pit Passes and Handicapped Parking for this year’s Reno Air Races (http://airrace.org/) for their Disabled Veteran’s Appre-ciation Day, September 18, 2015. There is a total of 10 tickets to cover the state.

Like last year the tickets are limited to one Veteran & Care Giver only. Additional guests or family tickets and passes are your responsibility.

Handicap Parking Placards are limited to those that have state issued permanent placards or plates and proof may be required at the site, so please bring your DMV Letter especially if a non-owned vehicle is being used.

Same as year, the tickets are limited to 5 pairs. Northern NV members will have priority, and then Southern NV members, CA and other state’s PVA members will have any left after 5 pm on Sept. 1. On Sept 10, 5:01 pm any tickets left over will go to other VSOs as needed.

Those interested in these tickets, please notify the PVA office at (702.646.0040) and whether a parking placard will be needed. Please DO NOT contact Tom Hudson. Once again, requests to the EOs help maintain accounta-bility to RARA.

Caveat: To those that have not been to the races or coming in from out of town, hotel lodging can be dicey as most have sold out on this date a year ago; RV camping at Stead AFB is handled by local groups and is usually another hard to get item. Your best bet is to check the Air Race website for details of who to initially contact (RV). As in the past, it is entirely possible to see all four seasons in one weekend including snow on the deck, so pack accordingly.

Membership—162

AMAZON FUNDRAISER

Don’t forget when shopping on Amazon.com sign

up for their “Smile” program. All you need to do is

type in www.amazon.com/smile then pick Nevada

Paralyzed Veterans as your char ity and shop.

Amazon will give us a percentage of all sales but

you have to make sure your are signed into the smile

program every time.

All Veterans and Active Duty personnel

receive 10% off their orders. Military ID

BIRTHDAY’S

August

Sandra Qualls 03 Brandon M. Jones 11 Timothy Manchego 23

Joe R.Ybanez 04 Michael C. Stern 12 Robert S. Butterfield 25

Larry D. Everett 06 Donald W. Pollard 13 Daniel A. Kaminski 28

Lyndon R. Ruddle 06 Robert J. Priante 18 Joseph W. Boyd 30

Maria Rietje Skaar 07 Beverly C. Jolley 19 Yusuf Ali 30

David M. Fivecoats 08 Fletcher (Rick) Hantke 22

Ted M. Perelman 08 Marci L. Piccirilli 22

James A. Hoban 09 Lester E. Wood 23

September

Ron J. Cantagallo 05 Thomas McNaughton 15 James M. Wakefield 24

Tad R. Stuart 05 Annette McNaughton 15 Harold M. Hubbard, Jr. 25

Cedrick J. Arinwine 09 Larry W. Porter, Jr. 15 Edrick D. James 25

Robert W. Artz 10 Michael Schacherbauer 17 Christopher McMahon 26

Dominic C. Cirino 12 Lee Tolliver 20

If anyone needs a wheelchair

ramp built, contact:

Walter Dowd

702/302-1989 Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things

that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Smith’s Fundraiser

2015

Nevada Chapter

Paralyzed Veterans of America

Donations can be made in any amount and are fully tax deductible. They will accumulate from January 1 through De-

cember 31. Donors will be printed in our monthly newsletter unless otherwise requested.

Bronze Donor $25 or more

Silver Donor $50 or more

Gold Donor $100 or more

Titanium Donor $250 or more

Platinum Donor $500 or more

2015 Donor List

Bronze

Douglas Nagoshi

Dede Feliz

LAMBDA

Silver Donor

Cathy Mayfield

Carma Richens

Mr. & Mrs. Duffy

Gold Donor

Mr. & Mrs. Jarrat

Carol Hummel

Samuel Whitt

Titanium Donor

William Burlew

Platinum Donor

Lee O’Brien

United Way of Southern Nevada

Mr. & Mrs. Hoenemeyer

Vic Skaar

NEVADA PVA CONTACTS

OFFICE HOURS AND STAFF

704 S. Jones Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89107

Office Hours 8:00-4:00 Monday-Thursday

8:30-3:00 Friday

702/646-0040

Executive Director, Julie Johnson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE)

President, Daniel Kaminski

Vice-President, Lester Wood

Treasurer, Marc Fenn

Secretary, Ron Cantagallo

National Director, Lester Wood

BOARD MEMBERS

Roger Dauffenbach

Tom Hudson

COMMITTEES & CHAIRPERSONS

Advocacy– Roger Dauffenbach

Finance—Marc Fenn

Legislative—Roger Dauffenbach

Membership—Ann Perelman

Sports Director—Marc Fenn

Want to be on a committee?

Or

Become a Board Member?

Call the office at 646-0040 for information

National Service Office

Ian Kenner, NSO

5460 Reno Corporate Drive

Suite #1A-105

Reno, NV 89511

775/321-4789

VLO, Patti Matysiak

6900 N. Pecos Road

Room 1C334

North Las Vegas, NV 89086

Monday-Friday 8:00-4:00

702/791-9000 ext. 14458

Fax: 702/224-6916

Jennifer Yanez, LCSW, Spinal Cord Coordinator

702/791-9000 ext. 15288

Yvonne Enriquez, SCI Nurse

702/791-9000 ext. 15267

SCI Fax: 702/791-9384

Prosthetics

702/791-9000 ext./ 19063

Disclaimer

The Nevada Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America

is a non-profit organization. We do not ask for or receive

any money from any federal or state agencies. All of our

funds are received mainly from donations. All members of

the Paralyzed Veterans of America have sustained a spinal

cord injury or disease. If you have any questions or would

like to make a donation to our organization, write to the

address or call the numbers listed on this page. Any articles

that appear in this newsletter are the opinion of the author

of said article and not necessarily those of this organizations

or members of the Board of Directors. Any advertising ap-

pearing in this newsletter is paid for by the business or or-

ganization placing the advertisement. Nevada PVA does

not endorse and shall not be held liable for any claims of

any kind against said business or organization. The Nevada

PVA’s newsletter if published six times a year. All articles

and advertisements must be in the office by the 1st of the

month preceding the month of publication. The editor has

the right to edit all articles for space, punctuation, clarity

and the addition of necessary graphs or graphics.

Mailing Address: VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System

6900 North Pecos Road, North Las Vegas, NV 89086

(702)791-9000

Vet Centers:

Las Vegas Vet Center (702) 251-7873, 1919 S. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146

Reno Sites

Reno Vet Center (775) 323-1294, 1155 W. 4th Street, Suite 101, Reno, NV 89503

Ely Outpatient Clinic/William B. Ririe Hospital (775) 289-3612, 6 Steptoe Circle, Ely, NV 89301 VA Carson Valley Outpatient Clinic (888) 838-6256 ext. 4000, 925 Ironwood Drive, Suite 2102, Minden, NV 89423

VA Lahontan Valley Outpatient Clinic (775) 428-6161, 365 West A Street, Fallon, NV 89406

VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System (775) 786-7200 or (888) 838-6256, 1000 Locust St., Reno, NV 89502

Direct Lines to Reno SCI Staff: Jim Hern, SCI Social Worker (775) 785-7075

Renee Kinkle, SCI Nurse (775) 785-7078

Medical Service Back Up (775) 784-3971

Utah Sites

Central Valley Medical Center/South Central Clinic (435) 623-3129, 48 W. 1500 N, Nephi, UT 84648

Fountain Green Outpatient (435) 623-3129 ext.. 2975, 300 W 300 S., Fountain Green, UT 84632 Ogden Outpatient Clinic (801) 479-4105, Ogden Regional Medical Center, 982 Chambers St., Ogden, UT 84403

Orem Outpatient Clinic (801) 235-0953, Timpanogos Regional Hospital, 740 W 800 N., Suite 440, Orem, UT 84057

Provo Vet Center (801) 377-1117, 1807 N 1120 W, Provo, UT 84604

Roosevelt OPC (435) 722-3971, 210 W 300 N (75-3), Roosevelt, UT 84066

Salt Lake City Vet Center (801) 584-1294, 1351 E 3300 S. Salt Lake City, UT 84106

St. George Outpatient Clinic (435) 634-7608 ext. 6000, 1067 E. Tabernacle, Suite 7, St. George, UT 84770 VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System (801) 582-1565 or (800) 613-4012, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84148

NATIONAL CRISIS HOTLINE 1/800-273-8255

VETERANS PRESS 1

Or Current Resident

Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America

704 S. Jones Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89107

-(702) 646-0040

Fax: (702) 646-3712

Toll Free: 1-866-638-3837

www.nevadapva.org

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

Paid

Las Vegas, NV

Permit #333 —